The legal status of marijuana in the United States bears an uncanny resemblance to the untouched post-conflict status of the Korean War; seemingly, conflict has ceased but no formal recognition of an end has been made. In what may be a de facto treaty between federal and state laws, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommended reclassifying marijuana to schedule III four months ago. This new category is reserved for substances with a moderate to low potential for drug abuse, a stark contrast to marijuana’s past categorization alongside hazardous substances such as heroin and LSD under the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (Reuters).
The decriminalization or legalization of cannabis for medical or recreational use has been embraced by all but four states (DISA). Simultaneously, President Biden has recently pardoned numerous convictions related to the use and possession of marijuana on federal land and in the District of Columbia (NPR). This is just one part of President Biden’s ongoing marijuana legal reform efforts, a strategy aligning with public sentiment as 70% of Americans now support marijuana legalization (Gallup).
The push towards reform begs the question of potential increases in cannabis treatments for various illnesses and conditions. Since Colorado and Washington first legalized weed for recreational use in 2012, cannabis has been explored as a potential treatment for a variety of conditions ranging from Alzheimer’s disease (Denver Post) to pain management for diseases like cancer and diabetes (Medical News Today) to even endometriosis, a reproductive ailment affecting an estimated 10% of females (Healthline).
The public opinion has evolved significantly since the first Gallup poll on the subject in 1969, which showed only 12% support for legalization. With evidence showing the benefits of cannabis, such as the treatment of severe epileptic seizures, public sentiments have seen a considerable shift. Since the opening of the first recreational marijuana dispensaries a decade ago, Colorado has reported significant tax revenues and sales, paving the way for other states to follow suit (Denver Post). Thus, the year 2024 stands to potentially herald a seismic shift in the national legal landscape for cannabis.